No OBC Column in Digital Census Sparks Social Justice Concerns
By Dundra kumara swamy, National President BC Dal
Concerns over the design of India’s proposed digital Census have intensified, with Dundra Kumaraswamy, National President of the BC Dal and Chairman of the Joint Action Committee for BC Reservations, terming the absence of a dedicated column for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) a serious setback to the cause of social justice.
Addressing a gathering at the “BC Yuva Chaitanya Vedika” organised under the aegis of the BC Dal on Sunday, Mr. Kumaraswamy said the Census is not merely a statistical exercise but a foundational instrument that shapes governance, welfare policies and representation. “Without distinct enumeration, social justice for OBCs remains elusive,” he remarked, cautioning that categorising OBCs under a generic ‘Others’ bracket risks rendering a large section of the population statistically invisible.
The shift towards a digital Census, widely seen as a step towards efficiency and modernisation, has also triggered questions about inclusiveness. Mr. Kumaraswamy argued that technology, while enhancing data collection, cannot substitute for social accuracy. “A digital Census that does not capture caste realities cannot present a complete picture of society,” he said, stressing that data gaps at the enumeration stage could translate into policy distortions later.
Highlighting structural inconsistencies, he pointed out that Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes continue to have clearly defined categories within the Census framework, while OBCs—who constitute a significant share of the population—do not. This disparity, he noted, reflects a deeper policy vacuum and raises concerns about the absence of political will to address backward class representation in a comprehensive manner.
The implications of such an omission, he argued, extend far beyond enumeration. In the absence of credible and disaggregated data, the formulation of reservations, welfare schemes and targeted interventions risks becoming arbitrary rather than evidence-based. “How can governments design equitable policies without reliable data on the socio-economic conditions of OBC communities?” he questioned.
Mr. Kumaraswamy further cautioned that invisibility in official data often results in marginalisation in policy priorities. In an increasingly data-driven governance framework, communities that are not adequately counted may find themselves excluded from meaningful participation in development processes. The demand for a dedicated OBC column, therefore, is not merely administrative but central to ensuring equitable representation and resource allocation.
Calling for immediate corrective measures, he urged the Union government to revisit the Census design and incorporate a clearly defined and legally enforceable provision for OBC enumeration. Such a step, he said, would strengthen both the credibility of the Census and the integrity of public policy.
As India prepares for its next Census in a digital format, the debate over what is counted—and what is left out—has gained renewed urgency. The concerns raised by backward class groups underline a broader principle: that the legitimacy of data-driven governance rests on its ability to reflect the full diversity of society.
Among others, Vamshi, Ramana and Mallesh were present at the event.